- Masisi’s aides tests positive for COVID-19
MPHO MATSHEDISO
President Mokgweetsi Masisi will not be travelling to Maputo, Mozambique ahead of Thursday’s Southern African Development Community (SADC) leaders’ organ meeting after members of his presidential staff tested positive for COVID-19.
In a statement released last night by Office of the President (OP), Masisi has immediately gone into self isolation pending further investigations on the extent of the exposure. It is yet to be established if the First Lady Neo Masisi has also been forced into the sudden self quarantine. Vice President Slumber Tsogwane is expected to carry out Masisi’s presidential duties in his absence.
“The public is informed that His Excellency, the President, Dr Mokgweetsi Eric Keabetswe Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana has gone on self quarantine following the detection of a COVID-19 case among some of his staff members,” revealed the statement.
“His Excellency’s self-quarantine is out of abundance of caution while more information is being gathered to ascertain the level of risk which will guide additional precautions and investigations in relation to this exposure. His Excellency will not be joining other SADC leaders for the Organ on Politics, Defence and Security Extra Ordinary Summit to be held in Maputo, Mozambique on Thursday 29th April 2021. His Honour, the Vice President, Mr Slumber Tsogwane will lead Botswana’s delegation to the Summit The public is advised to continue following the COVID-19 health protocols and consider any potential risk and exposure to COVID-19 with the seriousness it deserves so as to save lives.”
This is the fourth time that Masisi has come close to testing positive for the virus. Botswana has so far recorded more than 45 thousand COVID-19 cases.